The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-06

Joseph W. Bingham, the Well-Known
Journalist, Cuts His Throat.
His Suicide the Result of Desperate Despond-
ency, Causedb Continuous Suffering from
lnS0mnia-His journalistic Career.

Mr.. Joseph W. Bingham. we'll known jour-
nalist, oldest son of j. J. Bingham, committed
suicide at his fathers residence, corner of Mary
land and Mississippi streets, at o'clock yester-
day morning, by cutting his throat with a razor
from ear to ear, severing the carotid artery. He
was found a moment afterward and medical aid
was called. but he was dead before the physi-
clans arrived. The sad act was the result of a
peculiar chain of circumstances that led HIM to
melancholy from which he could not rid him
self. For several months he has been
troubled with insomnia. from which he
was unable to obtain any relief, and
his disturbed physical condition made him des
perate He believed that his vigor and use
fulness as newspaper writer were gone, and
imagined that his family were in danger of COM
ing to want For the past month he has brooded
constantly over his troubles, and frequently told
his relatives and friends that he thought he
would end his life by suicide. His sisters and
brothers, attempted to rid him of this impress
sion and determination, but without any sue
cess. A week ago his conduct became so alarm
ing that he was placed under surveillance, and
determination had been reached to have him re-
moved to the hospital for treatment yesterday
Since the meeting of the Legislature he has
been engaged in doing reportorial work for the
Sentinel. Last Wednesday he asked for few
DAYS rest. Since that time his relatives have
attempted to keep MIN from leaving the house
for fear he would do himself bodily harm. On
Thursday night he evaded their watchfulness
and went out at Z o'clock and did
not return until 2 A. M. His alb,
| sence greatly alarmed the family and
| a search was being instituted for him when
| he came home. Since then he has not heen
allowed to leave the house. During the afte--
noon of Friday he constantly referred to his
| imaginary troubles and his mother and sisters
| did what they could to turn his mind
| quiet after night that it was feared he had
| taken poison, and physician was
| called, who allayed the fears of the relatives.
He slept several hours quite souudly until after
o'clock yesterday morning, and the family
| were much encouraged over his apparently i'm
| proved condition. About o'clock Frank Bine
| ham found the door to his unfortunate brothers
room locked, but knowing his sister
| the door open, did not disturb
him. A few minutes afterward Joe walked to
| the door of his sisters ROOM and after hastily
| gancing in, walked back to his bureau and ap.
peared to be arranging his toilet His sister.
| moment later, heard gurgling sound,
and, rushing into his room, found him
lying on. his bed with his throat cut,
/ By the time the alarm was given, and the family
reached the bedside he was dead. Friday after
noon he wandered aimlesslv about the house
and in his search found his brother Franks
razor. with which he committed the deed.
| Mr.. Bingham would have been forty years old
| next month. Ten years ago this month. he was
| married to Miss Dollie Broueh, daughter Of John
| W. Brough, of this city They have two chill
| dren. boy and girl aged respectively nine
and From his youth the deceased has
been in journalism: His early work was on the
Sentinel when Mr.. Bright owned the
paper. and his father was editor.
He drifted into the profession by an accident
| that incapacitated him from commercial pur
| suit, to which he originally intended to devote
himself. He served tine paper for several years
as reporter. telegraph editor and city editor. and
| when by a change of management, he was
/ thrown out, he secured employment paper
| at Logansport He afterward returned to
! this city, and did work for both
the Journal and News. Eight years ago he
went to st. Paul, and took position on the
Pioneer Press. After a couple of years service
| there he went to Chicago. and became city
editor of the Chicago Evening News. holding
the position for over two years. From the News
he went to the Chicago Times, and also became
the CORES ponaent of the New York Herald and
Brooklyn Eagle. Last summer he unfortunate
ly lost his employment, and, after a few months
rest, he came to this city to do the legs-
lative reporting for the Sentinel. His
mental weakness did not develop itself
until after he came here, and constantly grew
worse from the day he left his family in Chicago.
His wife and children are still in Chicago, where
notified of his death. and will arrive here to-
night. The funeral will occur on Monday. This
evening, at o'clock, the newspaper men of the
city will meet in the Sentinel counting room, tc
take appropriate action regarding his death.
|